C Venues (Chambers Street)
16-31 August 22.30

In an audience of young giggly teenagers I sat down to Facebook: the Musical not having a clue what to expect (although from the flyers it was supposed to be “not what you expect”). There was one wee boy who looked about 7 and was falling asleep before curtain came up – do kids that young really have Facebook accounts? – I wasn’t sure if he or I were going to last til after midnight.

The show starts with an impressive opening song and immediately the talents of the cast are made apparent. Some of the mediocre songs are saved only by the fab vocal flair of the troupe. Unlike some musicals the acting is also of a high standard which is imperative as this show is two hours long and really starts to drag at some points. The action is saved by flashes of excellence such as the clever bedroom scene, a witty cyber sex scene and the best song about the devastation caused when Facebook changes its layout (“A pointless redesign to justify a wage”).

My main concern is that it takes itself too seriously: the moral was a bit heavy for some in the audience – chastising the e-culture of uploading our private selves online. By far the best bits of the performance are the tongue-in-cheek songs and over-the-top moments of action. Without the very impressive voices of the crew it would be a flop but their talents make me want to give it 4 stars but I think I’ll have to stick to 3.

I wouldn’t throw a sheep at it but give it a poke if that’s what you’re into...